Morocco Thrashes U.S. Men’s Olympic Team, Leading to Elimination

The U.S. men’s Olympic soccer team was knocked out of the Paris Olympics on Friday after a 4-0 loss to Morocco, which advanced to the semifinals.

Morocco dominated from the start, with strong support from a pro-Moroccan crowd. U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made several key saves early on, but the breakthrough came when Nathan Harriel fouled Soufiane Rahimi in the penalty area, allowing Rahimi to score from the spot with a well-placed shot into the bottom-left corner.

The Americans had an opportunity to level the score in the 59th minute when a cross from the left found Miles Robinson, but his shot missed the target.

Morocco swiftly punished the missed chance, adding a second goal just moments later. Abde Ezzalzouli made a run down the left side of the penalty area and set up Ilias Akhomach, who easily tapped the ball into the net from close range.

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain added to Morocco’s lead in the 70th minute, weaving through the U.S. defense before slotting the ball into the right corner.

In stoppage time, Morocco sealed their victory with a fourth goal, as El Mehdi Maouhoub converted a penalty awarded for a handball in the box.